Costa Rican Pharmacists warn of health risks after illegal drug seizure

The Colegio de Farmacéuticos de Costa Rica has issued a health warning following the seizure of approximately 700 units of illegally marketed medications near Parque de La Merced in San José. The seizure was conducted during an operation by the Municipalidad de San José.

The confiscated items included various types of drugs, including those subject to special controls such as clonazepam and morphine. Dr. Aura Gabriela Jara, president of the Colegio de Farmacéuticos, warned that purchasing medications through informal channels—such as streets, parks, or social media—poses serious health risks because the origin, storage conditions, and quality of the products cannot be verified.

Authorities emphasized that using medications without medical supervision or proper prescription increases the risk of adverse reactions, drug interactions, dosage errors, and poisoning. The professional association urged the public to use only authorized pharmacies where professionals can ensure safe usage and proper storage.